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Jabulani Meki
Jabulani Meki

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How I Installed Kali Linux with Enterprise-Level LVM as a Beginner

Why I Did This

I wanted to truly learn Linux not just use it. So I decided to:

  • Erase Windows from my machine
  • Download different distros
  • Learn the hard stuff, the real sysadmin stuff

One of the most confusing things when I started? LVM (Logical Volume Management). Everyone said, “you don’t need to use it.” But I thought:

If real companies use it, why shouldn’t I learn it now?

So I did. And in this post, I’ll show you how I manually installed Kali Linux with a realistic, enterprise-style LVM layout using just the Graphical Installer.

My Setup

  • OS: Kali Linux
  • Disk: 50GB (virtual machine)
  • Install mode: Manual partitioning (Graphical Installer)
  • Objective: Simulate a company-style layout with LVM

Partition Plan

I wanted my partitions to reflect what a real sysadmin might do:

Disk Partitions

Partition Size Mount Point Type
/boot 1 GB /boot ext4 (non-LVM)
LVM PV ~48 GB — LVM Physical Volume

/boot must be outside the LVM so GRUB can find it.

Logical Volumes inside Volume Group vgcorp

Logical Volume Mount Point Size Purpose
lvroot / 15 GB Main filesystem
lvhome /home 15 GB User files
lvvar /var 10 GB Logs, databases, mail
lvswap swap 4 GB Swap space
(Free Space) — ~5 GB Reserved for later

🔧 Step by Step: Manual LVM Partitioning (GUI Mode)

1. Boot Kali → Select Graphical Install

Choose your language, region, user info, and so on until you reach:

2. Partition Disks → Choose Manual

3. Create /boot

  • Select free space → Create new partition → 1 GB
  • Make it Primary
  • Use as: Ext4 → Mount point: /boot

4. Create the LVM Physical Volume

  • Use remaining free space → Create new partition
  • Use as: physical volume for LVM

5. Configure LVM

  • Choose: Configure the Logical Volume Manager
  • Say yes to writing changes
  • Create volume group → Name it: vgcorp
  • Add the physical volume you just made

6. Create Logical Volumes

From within the LVM config screen:

  • Create LV: lvroot → 15 GB
  • Create LV: lvhome → 15 GB
  • Create LV: lvvar → 10 GB
  • Create LV: lvswap → 4 GB
  • Leave about 5 GB unused

7. Set Mount Points and Filesystems

Now assign mount points for each LV:

  • lvroot → / → ext4
  • lvhome → /home → ext4
  • lvvar → /var → ext4
  • lvswap → swap area

8. Finish and Install

  • Choose Finish partitioning and continue.
  • Kali installs with your custom layout!

What I Learned

  • LVM is powerful you can grow, shrink, or snapshot logical volumes later
  • Real setups isolate /var, /home, and swap for better performance, management, and security
  • Leaving space unused is a smart move in enterprise setups
  • Partitioning isn't scary once you understand the logic

What's Next

Now that I’ve installed it, I’m planning to:

  • Grow /home or create a new user with a dedicated LV
  • Practice LVM snapshots
  • Try encryption (LUKS + LVM)
  • Do a full CLI-based Kali installation just for fun

Final Thoughts

You learn best by doing and messing up. Tutorials are nice, but getting your hands dirty makes everything stick.

If you’re new to Linux — I challenge you:

Don’t settle for “Guided Install.” Go manual. Learn the real stuff.

You got this

Let me know if you want me to write a follow-up post on snapshots, growing LVMs, or CLI-based installs!

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